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Software Architect Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$145 - $180/hr

This role is responsible for defining architecture, guiding engineering standards, and delivering scalable software and analytics capabilities across cloud-native applications. The successful ...

Software Architect Here at Siemens, we take pride in enabling sustainable progress through technology. We do this through empowering customers by combining the real and digital worlds. We do this ...

Software Architect

Addison, IL · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

We are looking for a Software Architect who enjoys both designing systems and contributing to them. Someone who can think strategically about architecture, guide sound technical decisions, and also ...

Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$122.95 - $210.77/hr

Software Architect Here at Siemens, we take pride in enabling sustainable progress through technology, empowering customers by combining real and digital worlds to improve how we live, work, and move ...

Software Architect - Inspire11 Elevens, as we call ourselves here, are curiously smart, purposefully scrappy, and dedicated to the highest standard of quality. By being true to ourselves and others ...

Software Architect - Inspire11 Elevens, as we call ourselves here, are curiously smart, purposefully scrappy, and dedicated to the highest standard of quality. By being true to ourselves and others ...

NET Software Architect position is entirely dedicated to a significant, client-facing product with over five thousand users to date. The individual in this role will need to learn the application and ...

NET Software Architect position is entirely dedicated to a significant, client-facing product with over five thousand users to date. The individual in this role will need to learn the application and ...

Position Summary The Principal Software Architect is responsible for defining and driving the technical architecture strategy that enables Light & Wonder's transition from legacy gaming technology ...

Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Introduction Architects are at the heart of our business. They shape and translate business and IT strategies and needs into realizable, sustainable technology solutions. At Capgemini, our architects ...

Sr. Staff Software Architect

Chicago, IL

$133K - $181K/yr

Job Title Sr. Staff Software Architect Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll ...

Sr. Staff Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $181K/yr

Job Title Sr. Staff Software Architect Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll ...

Sr. Staff Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $181K/yr

Job Title Sr. Staff Software Architect Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll ...

This individual is responsible for implementing best practices and modern software architecture patterns, and must stay current on the latest backend trends - including cloud-native development ...

The Software Team Architect is a technical lead that responsible for creating technical strategy and design of software systems within the team of their responsibility, as well as contributing to the ...

Software Team Architect

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

The Software Team Architect is a technical lead that responsible for creating technical strategy and design of software systems within the team of their responsibility, as well as contributing to the ...

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Software Architect information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$81.4K

$179.2K

$212.2K

How much do software architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for software architect in Chicago, IL is $179,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,700.00 and $211,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software architect?

A software architect is responsible for engineering and determining the high-level design of software. In this career, your work is critical to the end user experience. While the specific job description will vary by employer, your duties typically include taking on new design projects and using a computer or system to ensure systematic software development. As a job, a software architect is on the IT career track. You must have in-depth technical knowledge and communicate clearly and effectively with the rest of the development team. Software architects must also have experience in stress resistance and analytical skills. Qualifications usually include years of experience in IT, project management, and system design.

How does a software architect typically collaborate with development teams during a project?

A Software Architect works closely with development teams by providing technical guidance, defining architectural standards, and ensuring that the software design aligns with business goals. They often participate in code reviews, help resolve complex technical challenges, and facilitate communication between engineers, product managers, and stakeholders. Regular meetings and documentation are key to ensuring everyone understands the architectural vision, which helps keep the project on track and maintain quality throughout the development lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Architect, you need deep expertise in software design principles, system architecture, and programming languages, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with architectural frameworks, cloud platforms, and modeling tools like UML, as well as certifications such as TOGAF, is highly valued. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and guide projects to completion. These skills and qualities are essential for creating scalable, maintainable solutions that align with business goals and technical requirements.

What is the difference between Software Architect vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware ArchitectSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in CS, certifications like TOGAF or AWSBachelor's in CS or related field, certifications vary
Work EnvironmentDesigning system architecture, high-level planningWriting, testing, and maintaining code
Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, enterprise solutionsUsed in startups, tech firms, and various industries

While Software Architects focus on designing overall system structures and technical standards, Software Developers implement these designs through coding. Both roles require technical expertise, but Architects work at a higher strategic level, guiding development teams to ensure scalable and efficient software solutions.

Do software architects make a lot of money?

Software architects typically earn high salaries due to their advanced technical skills and experience in designing complex systems. Their compensation often reflects their expertise in areas like system architecture, cloud platforms, and programming languages, with salaries varying based on industry, location, and company size.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Architect jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Software Architect jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Software Architect jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Software Architect job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Architect job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $179,223 per year, or $86.2 per hour.

Software Architect

GCH Technologies

Chicago, IL • On-site

$145 - $180/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Arlington, Virginia | Atlanta, Georgia | Boston, Massachusetts | Chicago, Illinois | Dallas, Texas | Denver, Colorado | Detroit, Michigan | Houston, Texas | Miami, Florida | Orlando, Florida | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Phoenix, Arizona | Raleigh, North Carolina | Wichita, Kansas

GCH Tech is seeking a Software Architect to provide technical leadership for our industry-leading Short Code Registry platform. This role is responsible for defining architecture, guiding engineering standards, and delivering scalable software and analytics capabilities across cloud-native applications. The successful candidate will partner with product, business, and engineering stakeholders to modernize platform capabilities, enable data-driven insights, and ensure long-term platform reliability and performance.

Our Team

GCH Tech operates one of the industry's leading short code registry platforms, serving as the authoritative system of record for SMS short code management across U.S. carriers. Our platform supports the full lifecycle of short code provisioning, serving thousands of customers.As the registry backbone for regulated telecommunications messaging, GCH Tech sits at the intersection of compliance, carrier coordination, and high-availability SaaS infrastructure.

What You Will Do
  • Define and evolve application, data, and cloud architecture for a multi-tenant SaaS platform.
  • Lead the design and delivery of scalable full-stack solutions using React, Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, and NestJS.
  • Architect APIs, integrations, and service patterns that support secure, maintainable, and extensible solutions.
  • Design and optimize PostgreSQL data models, indexing strategies, and performance tuning approaches.
  • Establish cloud architecture standards across AWS services, including RDS, Lambda, S3, IAM, Cognito, and QuickSight.
  • Architect and deliver embedded analytics solutions using AWS QuickSight, including dashboard design, row-level security, and data modeling.
  • Drive architecture reviews, technology decisions, and engineering standards related to scalability, resiliency, security, and observability.
  • Partner with product, business, and engineering stakeholders to translate business objectives into technical solutions and roadmaps.
  • Champion Infrastructure-as-Code, automation, and deployment best practices utilizing Terraform and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle, from solution design through production support.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • Experience designing and developing web applications using React, TypeScript, and modern frontend frameworks.
  • Experience developing APIs and backend services using Node.js, NestJS, Express, or comparable frameworks.
  • Experience designing and supporting PostgreSQL databases, including schema design, indexing, and query optimization.
  • Experience utilizing AWS cloud services, including at least three of the following: EC2, RDS, Lambda, S3, IAM, Cognito, or QuickSight.
  • Experience serving as the technical lead, solution architect, or primary design authority for at least one production software application.
What Will Put You Ahead
  • Experience designing or supporting multi-tenant SaaS applications and cloud-native architectures.
  • Experience implementing embedded analytics solutions using AWS QuickSight, including dashboard embedding, datasets, and row-level security.
  • Experience developing applications using Next.js, including App Router, server components, middleware, and API routes.
  • Experience implementing Infrastructure as Code using Terraform or comparable automation tools.
  • Experience implementing authentication and authorization solutions using OAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML, RBAC, or related security frameworks.
  • Experience supporting platforms within telecommunications, messaging, compliance-driven, or other highly regulated industries.

For this role, we anticipate paying $145,000 - $180,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .

Who We Are

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most.

Our benefits plan includes:

  • medical
  • dental
  • vision
  • flexible spending and health savings accounts
  • life insurance
  • ADD
  • disability
  • retirement
  • paid vacation/time off
  • educational assistance
  • infertility assistance
  • paid parental leave
  • adoption assistance

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information clickhere , aquí , or tu ).

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